This free course integrates the repertoire of the UK exam boards (ABRSM, Trinity and Suzuki method) into the method of the world famous Franco-Belgian violin school.
I am using selected exercises and pieces from the violin methods by Charles de Beriot and Nicolas Laoureux. Both methods have their unique strengths and by combining them I can select the best exercises to support your progress.
With a strong musical and technical foundation learning new repertoire, be it for fun or for your national exams, will become much more enjoyable and rewarding
I wish you all the best of luck!
Mark Pedus
 

OVERVIEW


CHAPTER 1: STRAIGHT BOWING EXERCISES

This chapter contains 9 progressive playlist to practice straight bowing, string changes and basic rhythms. It finishes with slurring across strings and double stopping.
Before you begin
Basics of bow hold
Exercise 1: Introduction exercises on Straight Bowing
Exercise 2: Smooth Bow Changes
Exercise 3: The Quarter note
Exercise 4: The 1/8th note
Exercise 5: The 1/8th note and complex string crossings
Exercise 6:  The Legato
Exercise 7:  Double Stopping
Violin chapter 1
Viola chapter 1

CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCING BASIC FINGER PATTERNS

Here I offer 6 playlists where I slowly introduce each of the basic finger patterns one note at a time.  The last finger pattern comes with two different versions.  One starting with a low first finger and one with the normal first finger.
 
Preparatory exercises
Introducing the First Finger Pattern
Introducing the Second Finger Pattern
Introducing the Third Finger Pattern
Introducing the Fourth Finger Pattern
Violin chapter 2
Viola chapter 2

CHAPTER 3: SCALES IN FIRST POSITION

Charles de Beriot wrote 18 duets for student and teacher to help his students with their scales.  He limited himself to the most common Major and Melodic Minor scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.
The duo parts make it easier to improve intonation and it develops musicianship at the same time in a more relaxed way. Now scales are no longer so boring!
Violin chapter 3
Viola chapter 3

CHAPTER 4: THE INTERVALS

 
Until now all exercises went step-wise up or down.  All you had to worry about was if the distance is a tone or a semi tone.
Here I present 8 progressive playlists that will teach you how to play larger intervals.  Two little pieces by Nicolas Laoureux have been included to see how your new skills allow you to make beautiful music.
Once you master this chapter, you are well prepared to finally begin your first real pieces!  Enjoy!
THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds across all four finger patterns
THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds with String Crossings
Intervals in Practice – Dance by N. Laoureux
THE FOURTHS: Exercise on placing Fourths
Intervals in Practice – N. Laoureux
THE FIFTHS: Exercise on Diminished Fifths
THE FIFTHS & SIXTHS Introducing the sixths and exercise on placing fifths
THE SEVENTHS & OCTAVES Introducing the 7ths, Octaves and Arpeggios
Violin chapter 4
Viola chapter 4

PIECES IN FIRST POSITION

 
Here you will find the list of repertoire in first position.  Each piece will link to an individual page that will offer the playlist for the piece and a few essential supporting foundation exercises.
I have grouped the repertoire by method so it is easier to navigate.
violin pieces
viola pieces

Merry Christmas everyone!

I wish you all Healthy and Happy Holidays! Today I am finally introducing my first piece. I promise, more are coming soon, but I am going to take the rest […]

View post to subscribe to site newsletter.

Read More

Chapter 3: Scales – finally completed!

Scales are the secret to fast progress. Their relative simplicity allow you to focus on everything that matters: INTONATION SOUND QUALITY RELAXATION POSTURE But scales have a bad reputation for […]

Read More

Scales for violin: duets by Charles de Beriot

Introducing Violin Chapter 3, Scales by Charles de Beriot. These student / teacher duets by Charles de Beriot make learning scales easier and more fun for everyone

View post to subscribe to site newsletter.

Read More

Vimeography, my experiment of the day.

Today might have been a good day, I don’t know yet. I’ve been trying to streamline as many steps in my publishing process as possible. Last week I decided to […]

View post to subscribe to site newsletter.

Read More

C Major Scale Duets by Charles de Beriot edited for the viola

I finally got there. I just added the first scales to my practice manual! I gave the honour to the viola, because, why not. Starting to learn the viola about […]

Read More

Second chapter: Finger Patterns for Violin and Viola

As I mentioned yesterday, I have plenty of videos waiting to be connected to my website. I didn’t quite realise how far I had fallen behind on actually uploading my […]

Read More



My personal blog about my experiences as a violinist, teacher and luthier in London.  This blog is centered mainly about providing free education and practice tips for violin and viola; and maybe the odd luthier story…

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 386 other subscribers.
Connect

Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from - Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from - Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from - Google